From our Principal
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the term. The days are starting to get longer and the first signs of Spring are beckoning.
Leadership
This week our focus has begun to turn to our current Year 10 and Year 11 students, to Leadership. Students in their respective campus and year level have explored the concept of leadership inclusive of such things as traits of effective leadership, leadership styles and in particular the concept of servant leadership. This style of leadership, servant leadership is the foundation stone from which we at St. Peter’s College operate from, subscribe to and are guided by. There are no better examples of servant leadership than our patron St Peter, a flawed man in many ways, but an individual who was entrusted with the keys to build the early Church because he was prepared to walk alongside others of like mind and purpose. Another example is our current Pope. Is there not a more vivid example of a servant where he washes the feet of the most vulnerable in the world as he does each Holy Thursday. A further example is Saint Teresa (of Calcutta) who is quoted as saying:
“Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.”
Students in Year 10 and Year 11 will now move into the next stages of the Leadership nomination process culminating in the announcements of the Student Executive positions in week eight of this term and the House Captains in week nine.
Production
What a wonderful event this turned out to be. The talents of both the cast and crew shone out last week and over the weekend. Congratulations is extended to all involved. Each and every member represented St. Peter’s College with distinction. A college drama production is a wonderful opportunity for those involved. It provides all with a sense of achievement as they see themselves and others progress in confidence and ability which is then reflected in the final performance piece. It is an exemplar of hard-work and determination paying off when the final product is revealed. A production also enables and illustrates a whole range of twenty-first century learning skills to be developed, this includes: collaboration, communication, team-work, problem-solving and creativity, just to name a few. My thanks is again extended to all those involved.
Winter Sleepout
A significant number of staff and students will be braving the cold at both our East and West Campus in sleeping overnight this coming Friday. St. Peter’s College is committed to being a living witness to our faith. I am reminded of the prayer of St Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
The staff and students are braving the elements to raise both awareness and funds to the plight of the homeless. On the night they will hear from workers who have spent a significant part of their lives supporting these people. The statistics (from the 2016 census) are staggering:
- 116,427 people were counted in the Census as being homeless on Census night (up from 102,439 in 2011)
- The rate of homelessness (which takes into account population density) is 50 out of every 10,000 people —up five per cent from the 48 persons in 2011, and up on the 45 persons in 2006
- 20% (or 23,437) are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians (down from 26% in 2011)
- 30% are born overseas.
- VIC 24,817 (41.9 people per 10,000) +11% since 2011
- People are staying in:
- Improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out 7% (8,200)
- Supported accommodation for the homeless 18% (21,235)
- Staying temporarily with other households 15% (17,725)
- Boarding houses 15% (17,503)
- Other temporary lodging 1% (678)
- “Severely” overcrowded dwellings 44% (51,088)
- How old are they? Under 12 14% (15,872) +11% since 2011
- 12-18 10% (10,913)
- 19-24 15% (15,325)
- 25-34 18% (19,312)
- 35-44 14% (14,484)
- 45-54 12% (12,507)
- 55-64 8% (8,649)
- 65-74 4% (4,174)
- 75 and over 2% (2,028)
Approximately 40 students and 4 staff on each campus will be involved in this project this year. I commend all, particularly the Social Justice student leadership and the VCAL classes on the West Campus for their leadership which has resulted in, what I’m sure will be, a highly successful event.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Mr Chris Black
Principal
